EriktheRed said:

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Man, this board can be insufferable sometimes.

Here is a proposal for a data center that will bring in millions in tax dollars

No, we don't want that. It doesn't fit in.

We need ballfields. Big complexes are good money makers.

If they are in such high demand, then let the private sector do it.

Here is a proposal that fits in unlike the data center, and is 75% private sector funded.

No, that's no good either. We need to bring in more tax money.

Good grief. A mixed use ball field complex with businesses and restaurants and open space would be AWESOME for this spot. It would make SE CS explode.

Don't let perfect be the enemy of good.

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Well said.

b0ridi said:

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The ABA guy presenting at the meeting is giving a 15-minute monologue/autobiography/ABA advertisement

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Why wouldn't he? Would you want to enter a deal with someone you know nothing about?

So far his presentation sounds legit. He is not a polished salesman like the data center guy was.

I've known Thomas a long time. He's a good guy and has created and grown a great business over the years.

Check out Yancy's speech to his fellow council members on the data center / NDA disaster after the rest of council want to blow it off!!! It's at 5:35:00

Reel Aggies said:

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Check out Yancy's speech to his fellow council members on the data center / NDA disaster after the rest of council want to blow it off!!! It's at 5:35:00

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He clearly takes his duty very seriously.

I think there's some other folks who'd rather someone else do all the work, while they watch.

I think that's a big reason of how we got here in the first place.

AggiePhil said:

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Draw your own conclusions, folks.

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Thanks for sharing. Hard to make the case for 3 fields for 30 million vs 9 fields for 20 million from the city.

A North Texas community will vote to form a city in an effort to quiet down a crypto mine https://t.co/oVRqTkzNFh

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) October 12, 2025

Quote:

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A North Texas community will vote to form a city in an effort to quiet down a crypto mine

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CoCS dodged a bullet on this one. Let's hope the ball park will not come back to bite us.

doubledog said:

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A North Texas community will vote to form a city in an effort to quiet down a crypto mine https://t.co/oVRqTkzNFh

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) October 12, 2025

Quote:

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A North Texas community will vote to form a city in an effort to quiet down a crypto mine

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CoCS dodged a bullet on this one. Let's hope the ball park will not come back to bite us.

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I'm certain we did for a variety of reasons. But we did, thanks to the citizens making themselves heard. We learn and move on. I imagine we'll take our time on the ballpark to get it right.

Respectfully

Yancy '95

Usually when the city backs a private entity it solves problems for the private entity, nobody else.

Who has control over the facility?
If the answer is the private entity, then COCS 100% made the wrong decision

Does anyone else feel like the city is just jumping from one big thing to the next way too quickly?

It was veterans a few months ago, then the data center last month, then this ballpark came up 1-2 weeks after the data center crashed and burned, and now veterans is scrapped.

MyNameIsJeff said:

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Does anyone else feel like the city is just jumping from one big thing to the next way too quickly?

It was veterans a few months ago, then the data center last month, then this ballpark came up 1-2 weeks after the data center crashed and burned, and now veterans is scrapped.

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I can totally understand this perspective, but it is just kind of how things lined up. The fields were supposed to go at Independence to satisfy the overwhelming demand for more fields. Then when the soil debacle killed that, the city tried to make good on their promise by hand jamming them in at Veterans. The fit was honestly goofy, but the city was doing their best to make good on their promise to put in more fields.

Think what you will about the data center, but the city heard loud and clear that the citizens didn't want it, largely because it didn't "fit" with the area. When the new baseball PPP was presented to them, the Council saw that as a better fit based on what the citizens want, fulfills the promise for ball fields at midtown, and comes at a lower cost to the taxpayers. It also preserves half of the business park in front of the ballfields for business park.

I know it seems like they are just jumping around, but this truly seems like a fortunate set of events that happened, and i agree with council that this is by far the best way forward. In this case it was quite sloppy, but it appears the city worked their way into quite a great outcome.

The amount of money that was going to be spent for just three parks with a wonky design at Veterans was beyond less than ideal.

EriktheRed said:

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MyNameIsJeff said:

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Does anyone else feel like the city is just jumping from one big thing to the next way too quickly?

It was veterans a few months ago, then the data center last month, then this ballpark came up 1-2 weeks after the data center crashed and burned, and now veterans is scrapped.

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I can totally understand this perspective, but it is just kind of how things lined up. The fields were supposed to go at Independence to satisfy the overwhelming demand for more fields. Then when the soil debacle killed that, the city tried to make good on their promise by hand jamming them in at Veterans. The fit was honestly goofy, but the city was doing their best to make good on their promise to put in more fields.

Think what you will about the data center, but the city heard loud and clear that the citizens didn't want it, largely because it didn't "fit" with the area. When the new baseball PPP was presented to them, the Council saw that as a better fit based on what the citizens want, fulfills the promise for ball fields at midtown, and comes at a lower cost to the taxpayers. It also preserves half of the business park in front of the ballfields for business park.

I know it seems like they are just jumping around, but this truly seems like a fortunate set of events that happens, and i agree with council that this is by far the best way forward. In this case it was quite sloppy, but it appears the city fumbled their way into quite a great outcome.

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Yeah, definitely good point about a few things falling into place at the right time.

But, at the same time, it almost comes across as desperation (perhaps a little too strong of a word) to do something.

Maybe just pump the brakes a little and focus on rebuilding trust with CS residents.

EriktheRed said:

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MyNameIsJeff said:

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Does anyone else feel like the city is just jumping from one big thing to the next way too quickly?

It was veterans a few months ago, then the data center last month, then this ballpark came up 1-2 weeks after the data center crashed and burned, and now veterans is scrapped.

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I can totally understand this perspective, but it is just kind of how things lined up. The fields were supposed to go at Independence to satisfy the overwhelming demand for more fields. Then when the soil debacle killed that, the city tried to make good on their promise by hand jamming them in at Veterans. The fit was honestly goofy, but the city was doing their best to make good on their promise to put in more fields.

Think what you will about the data center, but the city heard loud and clear that the citizens didn't want it, largely because it didn't "fit" with the area. When the new baseball PPP was presented to them, the Council saw that as a better fit based on what the citizens want, fulfills the promise for ball fields at midtown, and comes at a lower cost to the taxpayers. It also preserves half of the business park in front of the ballfields for business park.

I know it seems like they are just jumping around, but this truly seems like a fortunate set of events that happens, and i agree with council that this is by far the best way forward. In this case it was quite sloppy, but it appears the city fumbled their way into quite a great outcome.

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Way more effort and contemplation than "fumbling," but you basically have it. With citizens, council and staff we got this one right. I feel a lot better about where we're at. I hope you all do, too.

Respectfully

Yancy '95

UhOhNoAgTag said:

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Any idea when the city will get started on Texas Independence Park? Or will it get delayed with the ball fields?

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No sir it's full speed ahead. I seem to recall design is complete and the contractor agreement awarded. I'll check on a start date and report back.

Thanks!

Yancy '95

Captn_Ag05 said:

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Mr. Yancy - is the hope to still have a field available for Bombers on same timeline as Veterans?

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That's possible, but not likely. I've reached out to CSISD about them hosting the Bombers in 2027 and that's a possibility. Staff are actively working with other entities to achieve the same. I've reached out to my friends at the CoB and that's not looking possible. There are options out there. The owner of the Bombers is my friend. I don't like that this decision puts him in a hard spot. At the end of the day, though, the citizens of College Station have to come first and this new direction offers much better value to the taxpayer, much more baseball for all, and a majority private sector initiative.

When these fields are done, the Bombers will have a home in College Station.

There's more than meets the eye to this project. I think folks are going to be very pleased with this when done. Our fingers are crossed and our noses to the grindstone.

Respectfully yours,

Bob Yancy '95

Thank you, sir! Look forward to hearing back!